Countering Fear: A Pilot’s Approach to Calm Nervous Flyers

When a commercial jet begins its journey on the runway, some passengers experience intense anxiety. For Hanna, a 38-year-old commercial pilot, addressing this fear was an ongoing challenge. Despite offering aviation safety statistics to nervous flyers, the impact was limited. “They’d still get off, acknowledge it helped slightly, but express that panic struck again,” Hanna shared with Newsweek regarding her attempts to reassure passengers before takeoff.

Two and a half years ago, Hanna, who prefers to keep her last name private, embraced her dual expertise in aviation and psychology. She combined this with yoga and breathwork to support nervous flyers, amassing over 28,000 followers on Instagram as @flying_wingwoman. Her core message: facts about flying have limitations; supporting the body first is crucial.

From Cabin Crew to Cockpit

Hanna’s journey to becoming a pilot was somewhat unconventional. “I began my aviation career at a young age,” she explained. “Growing up with my mom as cabin crew, I spent considerable time on planes, marveling at pilots and their work in the flight deck.” Her ambition led her to undergo flight training two years into her cabin crew career, balancing full-time work with studies, and clinching her first flying job just eight weeks post completion.

Why Facts Alone Don’t Calm a Nervous Flyer

A pivot occurred when Hanna pursued a degree in psychology six years ago, complemented by training in yoga and breathing techniques. “I understood it was essential to address nervous flyers in terms of mind and body reactions, not solely flying facts,” she mentioned. While acknowledging the value of factual information, she recognized its limitations in calming anxiety. “Fear shuts down the very functions needed to understand facts,” Hanna explained. “Your brain intuits you don’t need rational faculties when danger seems imminent. In panic, survival instincts override logic.”

Breathing as the Reset Button

Takeoff often triggers heightened anxiety for nervous flyers, surpassing the impact of turbulence since it marks the journey’s commencement and anxiety peaks. While Hanna continues to provide factual reassurances, she noted the necessity for deeper support. “Deep breathing is the method to regain control over mind and body,” she advised. This technique proved effective, as many passengers reported unprecedented calm after practicing it during flights. “After flights, passengers shared their unprecedented lack of panic and improved experiences,” she stated.

From in-flight discussions emerged a broad support network. Messages flowed in from individuals booking flights after years of avoidance or flying calmly for the first time following her guidance. She offers a succinct 30-second breathing exercise as part of her approach. “Many burdened by flying fear experience ridicule and judgment,” Hanna asserted. “I extend zero judgment for this fear, viewing it as a normal brain response to perceived danger.” She emphasized the discrepancy between perceived danger and reality, encouraging understanding and empathy.